MANUFACTURING AND PROCESSING OF COMPOSITE MATERIALS

Dr. Osama Mohammed Elmardi Suleiman Khayal

Nile Valley University, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, Sudan
e-mail: osamamm64@gmail.com
Abstract
Composite materials have been utilized to solve technological problems for a long
time but only in the 1960s did these materials start capturing the attention of
industries with the introduction of polymeric-based composites. Since then,
composite materials have become common engineering materials and are designed
and manufactured for various applications including automotive components,
sporting goods, aerospace parts, consumer goods, and in the marine and oil
industries. The growth in composite usage also came about because of increased
awareness regarding product performance and increased competition in the global
market for lightweight components.
Among all materials, composite materials have the potential to replace widely used
steel and aluminum, and many times with better performance. Replacing steel
components with composite components can save 60 to 80% in component weight,
and 20 to 50% weight by replacing aluminum parts.
Keywords: Manufacturing, processing, composite materials, nano – composites,
Metal matrix composites, fabrication of metal matrix composites
INTRODUCTION
There are more than 50,000 materials available to engineers for the design and
manufacturing of products for various applications. These materials range from
classical materials (e.g., copper, cast iron, brass), which have been available for
several hundred years, to the more recently developed, advanced materials (e.g.,
composites, ceramics, and high performance steels). Due to the wide choice of
materials, today‘s engineers are posed with a big challenge for the right selection of a
material and the right selection of a manufacturing process for an application. It is
difficult to study all of these materials individually; therefore, a broad classification is
necessary for simplification and characterization.

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These materials, depending on their major characteristics (e.g., stiffness, strength,
density, and melting temperature), can be broadly divided into four main categories
• Metals,
• Plastics,
• Ceramics, and
• Composites.
We tend to think of the latter half of the twentieth century as the ―composite age‖. In
some ways this is realistic and gives us a feeling of continuity from former ―material
based ages‖ such as the stone, bronze and iron ages. Certainly the last 50 years have
been associated with some remarkable developments in composite materials.
DEFINITION OF COMPOSITE MATERIALS
The word ‗composite‘ in composite materials means that two or more materials are
combined together in a certain order on a macroscopic level to form a new material
with different and attractive properties. The reason alloys are not considered in this
category is because they are homogeneous on the macroscopic level.
A composite material consists of two phases:
 Primary
- Forms the matrix within which the secondary phase is imbedded.
- Any of three basic material types: polymers, metals, or ceramics.
 Secondary
- Referred to as the imbedded phase or called the reinforcing agent.
- Serves to strengthen the composite. (fibers, particles, etc.).
- Can be one of the three basic materials or an element such as carbon or boron.
Composite materials consist of a bulk material called the matrix, and a filler of some
types such as fibers, whiskers or particles. Composite materials are conventionally
classified into three categories viz. polymer matrix, metal matrix and ceramic matrix
depending on the matrix employed. Furthermore, composites can be divided into
classes in various manners. One simple classification scheme is to separate them
according to reinforcement forms particulate-reinforced, fiber-reinforcement, or

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laminar composites. Fiber reinforced composites can be further divided into those
containing discontinuous or continuous fibers.
Although the continuous-fiber-reinforced metal matrix composites (MMCs) have the
best combination of mechanical properties, particulate reinforced MMCs are superior
from the viewpoint of cost-performance tradeoff. Compared to fiber reinforced
MMCs, the particulate-reinforced MMCs possess improved ductility, reduced
anisotropy of mechanical properties, as well as ease of secondary working with
conventional metal working techniques. The availability of inexpensive particulates
as reinforcements serves as an added advantage.
In particulate strengthened metal matrix composites, the strengthening is due to both
the matrix as well as the dispersed phase. While the matrix provides strengthening by
restricting the crack growth, thus avoiding the brittle failure, the dispersed phase acts
as an impediment for dislocation movements. This type of strengthening is similar to
precipitation hardening but for the fact that the strengthening effect is not as
pronounced as with precipitation hardening. But because the particles that are
dispersed into the matrix are inert, the strengthening is retained at elevated
temperatures. Also, precipitation hardening is limited to the small amount of the
dispersing phase. On the other hand, particulate reinforced composite can have
significant percentage of the particulate and provide outstanding wear resistant
properties.
The properties of a composite depend on the following:
- Properties of constituent phases.
- Relative amounts of constituents.
- Geometry of the dispersed phase.
• Shape of particles.
• Particle size.
• Particle distribution.
- Interfacial reactions between constituents.

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Several properties of the composites may be assessed by the rule of mixture (ROM),
which states that the property of the composite is the sum of products of the property
of an individual constituent and its volume fraction in the composite. For example:
Density: Dc = Dr Vr + Dm Vm
where, D stands for density and subscripts c, r and m stand for composite,
reinforcement and matrix respectively. This theoretical calculation can be used to
check whether the composite produced has the optimum properties. Modulus,
Strength, Electrical properties may sometimes be estimated with ROM as the first
approximation. Only particulate reinforced metal matrix composites will be dealt
with here. Discussion on other types of composites is beyond the scope of this
chapter.
CLASSIFICATION OF COMPOSITE MATERIAL
 Metal Matrix Composites (MMCs)
- Include mixtures of ceramics and metals, such as cemented.
- carbides and other cermets, as well as aluminum or magnesium reinforced by
strong, high stiffness fibers.
 Ceramic Matrix Composites (CMCs)
- Least common composite matrix. Aluminum oxide and silicon carbide are
materials that can be imbedded with fibers for improved properties, especially
in high temperature applications.
 Polymer Matrix Composites (PMCs)
- Thermosetting resins are the most widely used polymers in PMCs. Epoxy and
polyester are commonly mixed with fiber reinforcement.
 Matrix material serves several functions in the composite
- provides the bulk form of the part or product
- holds the imbedded phase in place
- shares the load with the secondary phase
 The Reinforcing Phase
Is an important material form for metals and ceramics range in size from microscopic
(less than 1 micron) to macroscopic (greater than 1 micron).
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 - In the microscopic size range and proportion of imbedded material of 15% or
less, the particles result in strengthening the matrix.
- In the macroscopic size range and proportion of imbedded material of 25% or
more, the particles serve to share the load with the matrix material.
- This form of composite strengthening occurs in cemented carbides, in which
tungsten carbide (80%) is held in a cobalt binder.
NANO-COMPOSITES MATERIALS
Nano-composites are materials that incorporate nanosized particles into a matrix of
standard material. The result of the mixing nanoparticles with matrix gives a drastic
improvement in properties such as mechanical strength, toughness, electrical and
thermal conductivity. The effectiveness of the nanoparticles can appear if the material
added is only between 0.5 and 5% by weight.
Nanoparticles have an extremely high surface to volume ratio, which dramatically
changes their properties when compared with their bulk-sized equivalents. It also
change the way in which the nanoparticles bond with the bulk material. The result is
that the composite can be many times improved with respect to the component parts.
Nano-composites can dramatically improve properties like:
• Mechanical properties including strength, modulus and dimensional stability.
• Electrical conductivity.
• Thermal stability.
• Chemical resistance.
• Surface appearance.
• Optical clarity.
Today, the industrial applicability of nano-composites is widely spread due to the
improvements of the mechanical characteristics of such materials.
Some applications fields of these materials are:
• Automotive engine parts as mirror housings, door handles, engine covers and fuel
tanks.
• Impellers and blades for vacuum cleaners, power tool housings, mower hoods and
covers for portable electronic equipment such as mobile phones.
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• Thin-film capacitors for computer chips.
• Oxygen and gas barriers.
• Food packaging.
METAL MATRIX COMPOSITES (MMCS)
Metal matrix composites (MMCs) have been around for a long time, but have only
been recognized as legitimate engineering composite materials in the second half of
the twentieth century. From their humble research beginnings, MMCs have gone
from "niche" materials to several high performance applications in aerospace,
electronic packaging, automotive, and recreational products. There has been a myriad
of new and exciting advances and applications in the field. Examples are carbides for
machining of materials in product engineering, noble metal composite systems for
contacts in electronics and electro-technology, copper–graphite sliding contacts for
generators and electric motors and multi-compound systems for brake linings in high
speed brakes. After the massive effort in recent years to develop metal matrix
composites (MMCs) with light metal matrixes the successful application of these
materials has taken place in traffic engineering, especially in automotive and
transport technology.
Metal matrix composites (MMCs), like all composites; consist of at least two
chemically and physically distinct phases, suitably distributed to provide properties
not obtainable with either of the individual phases. Generally, there are two phases,
e.g., a fibrous or particulate phase, distributed in a metallic matrix. Examples include
continuous A1 O fiber reinforced A1 matrix composites used in power transmission
lines; Nb-Ti filaments in a copper matrix for super conducting magnets; tungsten
carbide (WC)/cobalt (Co) particulate composites used as cutting tool and oil drilling
inserts; and Sic particle reinforced A1 matrix composites used in aerospace,
automotive, and thermal management applications.
A legitimate question that one might ask is: Why metal matrix composites? The
answer to this question can be subdivided into two parts: (a) advantages with respect
to unreinforced metals and (b) advantages with respect to other composites such as

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polymer matrix composites (PMCs). With respect to metals, MMCs offer the
following advantages:
• Major weight savings due to higher strength-to-weight ratio.
• Exceptional dimensional stability (compare, for example, Si C, /Al to Al).
• Higher elevated temperature stability, i.e., creep resistance.
• Significantly improved cyclic fatigue characteristics.
With respect to PMCs, MMCs offer these distinct advantages:
• Higher strength and stiffness.
• Higher service temperatures.
• Higher electrical conductivity (grounding, space charging).
• Higher thermal conductivity.
• Better transverse properties.
• Improved joining characteristics.
• Radiation survivability (laser, UV, nuclear, etc.).
• Little or no contamination (no out-gassing or moisture absorption problems).
5.1 Types of Metal Matrix Composites (MMCs)
All metal matrix composites have a metal or a metallic alloy as the matrix. The
reinforcement can be metallic or ceramic. In some unusual cases, the composite may
consist of a metallic alloy "reinforced" by a fiber reinforced polymer matrix
composite (e.g., a sheet of glass fiber reinforced epoxy or aramid fiber reinforced
epoxy).
In general, there are three kinds of metal matrix composites (MMCs):
(i) Particle reinforced MMCs
(ii) Short fiber or whisker reinforced MMCs
(iii) Continuous fiber or sheet reinforced MMCs
Fig.1 shows, schematically, the three major types of metal matrix composites:
Continuous fiber reinforced, short fiber or whisker reinforced, particle reinforced, and
laminated or layered composites. The reader can easily visualize that the continuous
fiber reinforced composites will be the most anisotropic of all. Table1 provides

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examples of some important reinforcements used in metal matrix composites as well
as their aspect ratios (length/diameter) and diameters.

Fig. 1 Different types of metal matrix composites

Table 1 Typical Reinforcements Used in Metal Matrix Composites

Particle or discontinuously reinforced MMCs (the term discontinuously reinforced

MMCs is commonly used to indicate metal matrix composites having reinforcements
in the form of short fibers, whiskers, or particles) have assumed special importance
for the following reasons:
• Short fiber or whisker Continuous fiber Particle reinforced composites are
inexpensive vis-a-vis continuous fiber reinforced composites. Cost is an important

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and essential parameter, particularly in applications where large volumes are required
(e.g., automotive applications).
• Conventional metallurgical processing techniques such as casting or powder
metallurgy, followed by conventional secondary processing by rolling, forging, and
extrusion can be used.
• Higher use temperatures than the unreinforced metal.
• Enhanced modulus and strength.
• Increased thermal stability.
• Better wear resistance.
• Relatively isotropic properties compared to fiber reinforced composites.
Within the broad category of discontinuously reinforced composites, metal matrix
composites made by liquid metal casting are somewhat cheaper to produce than
powder metallurgy composites. There are two types of cast metal matrix composites:
• Cast composites having local reinforcement.
• Cast composites in the form of a billet having uniform reinforcement with a
wrought alloy matrix. Such composite billets are forged and /or extruded, followed
by rolling or other forming operations.
5.2 Characteristics of Metal Matrix Composites (MMCs)
One of the driving forces for metal matrix composites is, of course, enhanced
stiffness and strength. There are other characteristics, which may be equally valuable.
As examples, we can cite the ability to control thermal expansion in applications
involving electronic packaging. By adding ceramic reinforcements, one can generally
reduce the coefficient of linear thermal expansion of the composite. Electrical and
thermal conductivity characteristics may be important in some applications. Clearly,
superconductors require superconducting characteristics. The metallic matrix
provides a high thermal conductivity medium in case of an accidental quench, in
addition to holding the tiny superconducting filaments together. Other important
characteristics that may be of immense value include wear resistance (e.g., in WC/Co
composites used in cutting tools or oil drilling inserts and Si C/Al rotor in brakes).
Thus, although one commonly uses the term reinforcement by particle or fibers in the
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context of metal matrix composites, it worth pointing out that strength enhancement
may not be the most important characteristic in many applications. In the chapters
that follow we explore these and other unique and important attributes of metal
matrix composites.
FABRICATION OF METAL MATRIX COMPOSITES (MMCS)
Metal matrix composites can be made by liquid, solid, or gaseous state processes. In
this chapter we describe some important processing techniques for fabricating
MMCs.
Liquid state processing
Metal matrix composites can be processed by incorporating or combining a liquid
metal matrix with the reinforcement. There are several advantages to using a liquid
phase route in processing. These include near net-shape (when compared to solid
state processes like extrusion or diffusion bonding)), faster rate of processing, and the
relatively low temperatures associated with melting most light metals, such as A1 and
Mg. The most common liquid phase processing techniques can be subdivided into
four major categories:
• Casting or liquid infiltration: This involves infiltration of a fibrous or particulate
perform by a liquid metal. In the case of direct introduction of short fibers or particles
into a liquid mixture, consisting of liquid metal and ceramic particles or short fibers,
is often stirred to obtain a homogeneous distribution of particles. In centrifugal
casting, a gradient in reinforcement particle loading is obtained. This can be quite
advantageous from a machining or performance perspective.
• Squeeze casting or pressure infiltration: This method encompasses pressure-
assisted liquid infiltration of a fibrous or particulate perform. This process is
particularly suited for complex shaped components, selective or localized
reinforcement, and where production speed is critical.
• Spray co-deposition: In this process the liquid metal is atomized or sprayed while a
particle injector introduces ceramic particles in the spray stream to produce a
granulated mixture of composite particles. The composite particles are then

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consolidated using another suitable technique, such as hot-pressing, extrusion,
forging, etc.
• In situ processes: In this case, the reinforcement phase is formed in situ either by
reaction during synthesis or by controlled solidification of a eutectic alloy. We now
discuss each of these processing classes in detail.
6.1.1 Casting
Conventional Casting
Casting of MMCs can typically be accomplished with conventional equipment used
to cast metallic alloys. It is typically used with particulate reinforcement because of
the difficulty in casting fibrous performs without pressure. The particles and matrix
mixture are cast into ingots and a secondary mechanical process, such as extrusion or
rolling, is applied to the composite, see Fig. 2.

Fig. 2 Conventional casting route for processing particle reinforced MMCs

Stirring of the composite melt is often required, Fig.3. The density of Sic (3.2 g/cm3),
for example, is higher than that of A1 (2.2 g/cm3), so the particles will sink unless the
melt is agitated. Alternating currents in a magnetic field and mechanical vibration

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have also been used to improve wetting and permeability of the reinforcement in the
liquid matrix.

Fig. 3 stirring of composite melts with ceramic particles to minimize settling of

the particles during processing
Centrifugal Casting
One of the disadvantages of MMCs with ceramic reinforcement is that they are
typically more difficult to machine than the unreinforced alloy. In centrifugal casting,
optimal placement of the reinforcement can be achieved by inducing a centrifugal
force immediately during casting, Fig. 4, to intentionally obtain a gradient in
reinforcement volume fraction. In brake rotors, for example, wear resistance is
needed on the rotor face, but not in the hub area. Thus, in areas where reinforcement
is not as crucial, such as in the hub area, machining would be easier without the
reinforcement.

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 Fig. 4 (a) Schematic of centrifugal casting process, (b) rotating mold, and (c)
cross section of finished casting with intentionally-segregated reinforcement

Liquid Infiltration
Liquid Infiltration
Another pressure less infiltration process consists of reactive or non-reactive
infiltration of a reinforcement preform. In this process particulate or fibrous filler is
infiltrated with pure A1 or A1-Mg alloy, Fig.5. Alloy matrices may also be formed in
this process. For example, when pure A1 is intermingled with Mg particles (in
addition to the ceramic reinforcement particles) an AI-Mg alloy matrix is formed.
The process is conducted in N2 atmosphere to minimize interfacial reactions,
particularly since the pressure less process involves long infiltration times at high
temperatures. When pure A1 is infiltrated, the infiltration temperatures are between
700-800°C, while infiltration of A1-Mg alloys is conducted between 700-1000°C
(Lloyd, 1997).
Typical infiltration rates are less than 25 cm/h.

Fig. 5 Pressure less infiltration of MMCs: (a) Alloy matrix infiltration of

particulate preform and (b) pure matrix infiltration of metallic alloy particle
and ceramic particulate preform
Squeeze Casting
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Squeeze casting or pressure infiltration involves forcing the liquid metal matrix into a
short fiber or particulate preform. The main advantages of this method over
conventional casting are the shorter processing times (which is of particular interest
for production of materials in high volumes), ability to fabricate relatively complex
shapes, minimal residual porosity or shrinkage cavities due to the applied pressure,
and minimization of interfacial reaction products between reinforcement and matrix
(due to the shorter processing times). Before infiltration takes place, the
reinforcement preform must be prepared. Fig. 6 shows two processes for making the
preform: (a) press forming and (b) suction forming. In the press forming process,
aqueous slurry of fibers is agitated and poured into a mold, pressure is applied to
squeeze out the water, and the preform is dried. In the other process, suctions applied
to the mixture that consists of the reinforcement, fiber, and water. The mixture is then
demolded and dried.

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 Fig. 6 Processes for making particulate performs: (a) press forming and (b)
suction forming
In order to obtain infiltration of the preform, the molten metal must have a relatively
low viscosity and good wettability of the reinforcement. A schematic of the liquid
infiltration process is shown in Fig.7. The reinforcement preform is placed in a mold,
and the liquid is poured into a preheated die located on the bed of a hydraulic press.
Infiltration takes place by mechanical force or by using a pressurized inert gas.
Applied pressures on the order of 70-100 MPa are typically used. Having the preform
temperature lower than that of the matrix liquid us temperature is highly desirable in
order to minimize interfacial reaction and to obtain a fine matrix grain size.

Fig. 7 Schematic of squeezes casting process.

6.1.3 Spray Co-deposition

Spray deposition has been used for some time to fabricate metallic alloys in powder
form. The metal or alloy is melted and the liquid stream is atomized with water or an
inert gas. Rapid solidification of the liquid takes place, resulting in a fine solid
powder. This technique has been modified, by injecting reinforcement particles or co-
depositing the particles with the matrix alloy, Fig.8. The advantage of this technique
is the high rate of production, which can approach 6-10kg/min, and the very fast
solidification rate, which minimizes any reaction between particle and matrix. The as-
processed billet is not fully dense, so secondary processing is required to fully density
and homogenizes the composite.

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 Fig. 8 Spray co-deposition of Sic particles and A1 liquid droplets, to form
composite particles
6.1.4 In situ Composite Materials
In situ metal matrix composites (MMCs) is multiphase material whose reinforcing
phases are synthesis by chemical reaction during fabrication, while a conventional ex
situ MMCs is fabricated by directly adding reinforcements into its matrix. The in situ
chemical process has several advantages over ex situ chemical process, such as more
homogenous reinforcement, excellent surface bonding, pure interphase, and appears
to be a suitable method for preparing metal–ceramic nano-composite.
In-situ and Ex-situ Techniques
In-situ is multiphase material whose reinforcing phases are formed by chemical
reaction during fabrication.
Ex-situ is fabricated by directly adding reinforcements into its matrix.
The in-situ chemical process has several advantages over ex-situ process
 More homogenous reinforcement.
 Excellent Surface bonding, good strength and ductility.
 Good electrical properties.
 A suitable method for preparing metal–ceramic nano-composite.

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In situ composite material is a material class, which uses the reactions of different
components during the production to produce new components. Here source
materials are the different metal or alloy powders as well as other powder shaped
components. The reaction between components can thus happen both during mixing
the powders and in the subsequent processing. However, a minimum of energy must
first be introduced to get the reaction going. This can take place, for example, with
the thermal energy of hot isostatic pressing, with a subsequent thermal treatment after
extrusion, or by high kinetic energy in the case of the mechanical alloying. In the
latter case the process is known by the abbreviation, MSR (mechanically induced
self-propagating reaction). Takacs gives an overview regarding the procedures
applied and the possible reaction partners etc. Table 2 shows a composition of
possible reaction systems. These reactions are usually exothermic reactions, which
run independently after activation. The components react completely with each other
in relation to the percentage by volume and in a matrix, specified before; a new phase
develops with a high percentage by volume, which then takes over the reinforcing
function.
Table Examples of reaction systems of in situ reactions during powder
atomization in the manufacture of composite powders

6.2 SOLID STATE PROCESSING

The main drawback associated with liquid phase techniques is the difficulty in
controlling reinforcement distribution and obtaining a uniform matrix microstructure.
Furthermore, adverse interfacial reactions between the matrix and the reinforcement
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are likely to occur at the high temperatures involved in liquid processing. These
reactions can have an adverse effect on the mechanical properties of the composite.
The most common solid phase processes are based on powder metallurgy techniques.
These typically involve discontinuous reinforcements, due to the ease of mixing and
blending, and the effectiveness of densification. The ceramic and metal powders are
mixed, is statically cold compacted, and hot-pressed to full density. The fully dense
compact then typically undergoes a secondary operation such as extrusion or forging.
Novel low-cost approaches, such as sinter forging, have aimed at eliminating the hot
pressing step, with promising results.
1 Powder Metallurgy Processing
Powder processing involves cold pressing and sintering, or hot pressing to fabricate
primarily particle- or whisker-reinforced MMCs. The matrix and the reinforcement
powders are blended to produce a homogeneous distribution. The most common
method in manufacture of MMC is by first mixing the existing powders, matrix metal
and reinforcement with each other. This can happen in the dry condition, with the
help of dispersion agents and/or controlled atmospheres or by mechanical alloying
(MA). Fig. 9 show schematically the operational sequence of the powder metallurgy
production.

Fig. 9 Schematic presentation of the manufacturing process for MMCs

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6.2.2 Mechanical alloying and milling
Two different terms are commonly used in the literature to denote the processing of
powder particles in high-energy ball mills. Mechanical Alloying (MA) describes the
process when mixtures of powders (of different metals or alloys/compounds) are
milled together. Material transfer is involved in this process to obtain a homogeneous
alloy. On the other hand, mechanical milling of uniform (often stoichiometric)
composition powders, such as pure metals, intermetallics, or pre-alloyed powders,
where material transfer is not required for homogenization, is termed Mechanical
Milling (MM). The advantage of MM over MA is that since the powders are already
alloyed and only a reduction in particle size and/or other transformations need to be
induced mechanically, the time required for processing is short.
Reaction Milling (RM) is the mechanical alloying process accompanied by a solid-
state reaction. In this process, the powder is milled without the aid of any process
control agent to produce fine dispersions of oxides and carbides in aluminum. The
dispersion of carbides is achieved by adding lamp-black or graphite during milling of
aluminum. Adjusting the oxygen content via close control of the milling atmosphere
(oxygen, argon, nitrogen, air, etc.) produces the oxides.
6.2.2.1 The process of mechanical alloying
The actual process of MA starts with mixing of the powders in the right proportion
and loading the powder mix into the mill along with the grinding medium (generally
steel balls). This mix is then milled for the desired length of time until a steady state
is reached when the composition of every powder particle is the same as the
proportion of the elements in the starting powder mix. The milled powder is then
consolidated into a bulk shape and heat treated to obtain the desired microstructure
and properties. Thus the important components of the MA process are the raw
materials, the mill, and the process variables. We will now discuss the different
parameters involved in the election of raw materials, types of mills, and process
variables.
6.2.2.2 Types of mills

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Different types of high-energy milling equipment are used to produce mechanically
alloyed powders. They differ in their capacity, efficiency of milling and additional
arrangements for cooling, heating, etc. A detailed description of the different mills
available for MA can be found in Planetary ball mills in Fig. 10 and Attritor mills in
Fig. 11.

Fig. 10 (a) Fritsch Pulverisette P-5 four station ball mill. (b) Schematic depicting
the ball motion inside the ball mill. Courtesy of Gilson Company, Inc.,
Worthington, OH

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Fig. 1 (a) Model 1-S attritor. (b) Arrangement of rotating arms on a shaft in the
attrition ball mill. Courtesy of Union Process, Akron, OH
6.2.2.3 Process variables
Mechanical alloying is a complex process and hence involves optimization of a
number of variables to achieve the desired product phase and/or microstructure.
Some of the important parameters that have an effect on the final constitution of the
powder are:
• type of mill,
• milling container,
• milling speed,
• milling time,
• type, size, and size distribution of the grinding medium,
• ball-to-powder weight ratio,

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• milling atmosphere,
• process control agent, and
• Temperature of milling.
All these process variables are not completely independent. For example, the
optimum milling time depends on the type of mill, size of the grinding medium,
temperature of milling, ball-to-powder ratio, etc..
6.2.2.4 Mechanism of alloying
During high-energy milling, the powder particles are repeatedly flattened, cold-
welded, fractured and re-welded. Whenever two steel balls collide, some amount of
powder is trapped in between them. Typically, around 1000 particles with an
aggregate weight of about 0.2 mg are trapped during each collision Fig. . The force
of the impact plastically deforms the powder particles leading to work hardening and
fracture. The new surfaces created enable the particles to weld together and this leads
to an increase in particle size. Since in the early stages of milling, the particles are
soft (if we are using either ductile-ductile or ductile-brittle material combination),
their tendency to weld together and form large particles is high.

Fig. 1 Ball-powder-ball collision of powder mixture during mechanical alloying

After milling for a certain length of time, steady-state equilibrium is attained when a
balance is achieved between the rate of welding, which tends to increase the average
particle size, and the rate of fracturing, which tend to decrease the average composite
particle size. Smaller particles are able to withstand deformation without fracturing
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and tend to be welded into larger pieces, with an overall tendency to drive both very
fine and very large particles towards an intermediate size. The particle size
distribution at this stage is narrow, because particles larger than average are reduced
in size at the same rate that fragments smaller than average grow through
agglomeration of smaller particles Fig. .

Fig. Narrow particle size distribution caused by tendency of small

particles to weld together and large particles to fracture under
steady-state conditions
The specific times required to develop a given structure in any system would be a
function of the initial particle size and characteristics of the ingredients as well as the
specific equipment used for conducting the MA operation and the operating
parameters of the equipment. In a few minutes to an hour, the lamellar spacing
usually becomes small and the crystallite (or grain) size is refined to nanometer
dimensions Fig. . The ease with which nanostructured materials can be synthesized
is one reason why MA is extensively employed to produce nano-crystalline
materials. As mentioned above, it is possible to conduct MA of three different
combinations of metals and alloys: (i) ductile-ductile, (ii) ductile-brittle, and (iii)
brittle-brittle systems. Therefore, it is convenient to discuss the mechanism of MA
also under these categories.

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Table 3 gives an overview of MMCs which are produced by mechanical alloying as
well as their processing and applications.

Fig. Refinement of particle and grain sizes with milling time, rate of
refinement increases with higher milling energy, ball-to-powder
weight ratio, lower temperature, etc.

Table 3 Overview of MMC powders produced by mechanical alloying (MA),

their processing and application.

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6.3 Compaction and Sintering Characteristics
In the classical powder metallurgical production technique, consolidation follows the
manufacture of the powder and powder mixtures. There a variety of techniques have
been developed, which are applied alone or in combination. The following techniques
are most important:
• Sintering.
• Extrusion.
• Hot-pressing.
• Hot isostatic pressing (HIP).
• Cold isostatic pressing (CIP).
• Forging.
• Rolling.
• Metal injection molding.
• Production of coatings.
The basic steps of powder processing are powder production, compacting of powder,
and sintering. The last phase involves heating the ‗‗preform‘‘ part to a temperature
below its melting point, when the powder particles lose their individual
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characteristics through an inter-diffusion process and give the part its own overall
physical and mechanical properties. Sintering lowers the surface energy of the
particles by reducing their (surface) areas through inter-particle bonding.
6.3.1 Compacting
Bulk powder can be (automatically) transformed into (‗‗green‘‘) performs of desired
geometry and density through compacting prior to their sintering. The first step in
this process is effective mixing of the multi-material powder. At this stage, lubricant,
in the form of fine powder, is also added to the mixture (for reduced friction) if the
powder is going to be formed in a closed die. Most compacting operations, with the
exception of processes such as slip casting and spray forming, are carried out under
pressure: die compacting, isostatic compacting, powder rolling, extrusion of powder,
and powder injection molding (PIM). Pressure-assisted compacting can be further
categorized into cold (at ambient temperature) and hot (material-dependent enhanced-
temperature) compactions.
Bulk powders are compressible materials as the pressure is increased, the fraction of
voids in the powder rapidly diminishes and the particles deform under (first elastic
and then) plastic mechanisms Fig. . The denser the preform is, the better are its
mechanical properties and the less dimensional variation during sintering.

Fig. Compacting of powder.

6.3.1 Sintering
26
Sintering, the last stage in powder processing, is the thermal bonding of particles into
a coherent, primarily solid structure. The mechanical properties of the original green
compacted part are significantly improved through the elimination of the pores and
the increase in density. However, it should be noted that the former phenomenon
occurs at the expense of shrinkage and undesired dimensional changes. Thus
maximum densities should be obtained at the pre-sintering compaction phase.
Sintering forms solid bonds between the particles, reducing the surface energy
through grain growth and elimination of pores. Individual grain boundaries normally
disappear by the end of the sintering process, and what remains behind is a solid
cross section with distributed pores Fig. 16. As is further shown in Fig. 17, individual
grain boundaries are assumed to disappear through a neck growth process, in which
two particles coalesce into a single larger particle.

Fig. 16 Sintering as a function of time

Fig. 17 Neck growth in sintering.

Two mass-transport mechanisms contribute to grain bonding: surface transport and
bulk transport. The former yields neck growth at lower temperatures without a
change in particle spacing. Although bulk transport also contributes to neck growth,
27
mass densification is the primary characteristic of this mechanism, which is achieved
through volume diffusion, plastic flow, and viscous flow at high temperatures.
CONCLUSIONS
Composites are engineered or naturally occurring materials made from two or more
constituent materials with significantly different physical or chemical properties
which remain separate and distinct within the finished structure. Basically, they can
be categorized into two major types, i.e., structural composites with outstanding
mechanical properties and functional composites with various outstanding physical,
chemical or electrochemical properties. They have been widely used in a wide variety
of products, e.g., advanced spacecraft and aircraft components, boat and scull hulls,
sporting goods, sensor/actuator, catalysts and pollution processing materials,
biomedical materials, and batteries, etc.
Among all materials, composite materials have the potential to replace widely used
steel and aluminum, and many times with better performance. Replacing steel
components with composite components can save 60 to 80% in component weight,
and 20 to 50% weight by replacing aluminum parts.
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Thomas Nelson, Community College Hampton, VA 23666 frankj@tncc.edu.

Composite Manufacturing Processes.

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